Catcall has spent a long time in the lab developing the sounds that have surfaced on her debut LP The Warmest Place. Beginning her musical career in punk band Kiosk, Catcall (aka Catherine Kelleher) departed the group to write and release her solo, hip-hop inspired EP Anniversary. Since then, her sound has progressed and bloomed into more of an 80s pop persuasion, peppered with the ferocious attitude and edge of her previous musical life.
Opening the album is title track ‘The Warmest Place’; a hauntingly sincere lament to Kelleher’s late father. Sung a capella, this arresting track is a beautiful introduction to a record that lightens as it lengthens. ‘Satellites’ is the first single off the album and a fine choice for the role, as it is undoubtedly the most memorable and catchy track off the record, immediately encouraging a sing-a-long chorus as all good pop music should.
Kelleher is proving to be strong female voice reminiscent of the likes of Neneh Cherry in tracks such as ‘Paralysed’, whereby harmonies are stacked up like beats and melodies are sung with a healthy dose of attitude. Some moments are a little too sonically thin for my tastes, but tracks such as ‘August’ make up for it in droves with its thundering depth and anthemic chorus.
‘Art Star’ takes a turn towards the 70s disco scene in an irresistibly catchy way – she harnesses the simple synth lines and call-and-response vocal style in a way that could easily capture lovers of Chic. Considering the amount of stylistic change Kelleher’s song writing has undergone within her career, this could possibly be a clue towards what the next Catcall release may deliver
This is exactly the kind of record our local scene is in need of. There is nothing too complex in The Warmest Place; just pure, genuine and authentic pop, free from disposability and totally refreshing.
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